San Diego County residents coping with the aftermath of the recent storm are being warned: watch out for price gougers and fraudsters. District Attorney Summer Stephan has warned sternly against businesses and scammers looking to exploit the vulnerable during this state of emergency. According to County News Center, price gouging during such a time is illegal and can lead to severe penalties including a year in jail or fines up to $10,000.
Under the proclaimed emergency following the January 22 storm, gouging prices by more than 10 percent for essential goods or services is a crime. Stephan said that enforcement actions may lead to civil penalties of up to $2,500 per violation, sending a message to those considering inflating prices. Essential items protected include food, water, flashlights, and medical supplies. As the County News Center reported, the prohibition also extends to the hospitality industry, restricting hotels and motels from raising rates more than 10 percent after a disaster.
Stephan emphasized the importance of protecting consumers from further harm in a statement obtained by County News Center, "We want to send a clear message that we will not tolerate any unlawful activity by greedy businesses, contractors or scammers who would seek to exploit victims of a disaster financially." The DA's office also reminds the public to be vigilant when dealing with contractors. Tips include asking for licensing proof and verifying insurance to avoid unlicensed contracting, which is considered a felony during a state of emergency.
In addition, the public should exercise caution when approached by anyone soliciting disaster relief charities. Scammers often take advantage of these situations with false charitable pleas. Donating people should insist on proper credentials before parting with their money. Stephan also highlighted debris-clearing scams, warning residents not to pay upfront for services to prevent being duped by disappearing fraudsters. Information on filing complaints against price gouging or checking contractor licenses can be found through multiple resources, including the San Diego District Attorney's office and the California Department of Insurance.
